Deontay Wilder returns to the ring for the first time in over a year as he looks to bounce back from some tough times in recent years.
The former World Heavyweight champion suffered four defeats in his last five fights after going 43 fights undefeated.
Deontay Wilder’s defeats to Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker, and Zhilei Zhang prompted a year-long hiatus, which will come to an end when he battles Tyrrell Herndon on June 27.
Now, the staff at Bloody Knockout has made their predictions about who will win the fight between Wilder and Herndon.
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Bloody Knockout staff predict a quick KO for Deontay Wilder
James Sweetnam: At his best, Deontay Wilder was a true force of nature, capable of rendering any opponent he touched unconscious with just a single shot. Alas, his defeats to Tyson Fury appear to have severely dented his confidence, with ‘The Bronze Bomber’ now merely a shadow of the man who once ruled over the heavyweight division.
However, while the door has opened for the best in the world to claim his scalp, Tyrrell Herndon is not on that level. With that in mind, I expect Wilder to get back to winning ways and give us a much-needed sprinkling of nostalgia by finding that all-important knockout blow.
PREDICTION: DEONTAY WILDER VIA KNOCKOUT
Harvey Burton: I think Wilder’s well past his best and that Malik Scott’s coaching really downgraded him as a fighter, but I think Herndon should still be relatively easy for Wilder to get through.
I think Wilder’s newfound tentativeness will make the KO take a couple rounds longer than it could and should, but he’ll get it done.
PREDICTION: DEONTAY WILDER VIA KNOCKOUT
Hamish Woodward: Deontay Wilder has definitely been affected by his recent losses and doesn’t seem to have the killer instinct that the “Bronze Bomber” once had. However, Herndon looks hand-picked to resurrect his confidence, and is really only turning up to get flattened by Wilder.
It will probably take Wilder a few rounds to get into the groove, and he won’t want to end the fight too quickly after a year out of the ring. However, the fight won’t go close to the distance and should end a few rounds in with Herndon’s head bouncing off the mat.
PREDICTION: DEONTAY WILDER VIA KNOCKOUT